The new Melbourne Australia Temple district encompasses stakes from the states of Victoria, Tasmania and Southern New South Wales.

"It's no surprise that we are commencing a temple here, at this time," said Elder P. Bruce Mitchell an Area Authority Seventy and counselor in the Australia/New Zealand Area Presidency. He stated that the saints' faithfulness in attending the Sydney Australia Temple every weekend over the past fifteen years had not gone unnoticed by the Lord. The trip requires a twelve-hour bus ride each way.

During his comments, Elder Mitchell quoted Elder John A. Widstoe of the Quorum of the Twelve saying, " 'When we go through the temple for other people we taste the sweet joy of saviorhood and our stature becomes more like the Savior Jesus Christ who died to save us all.'" He then gave thanks to various groups, including neighbors, architects and planners for facilitating the process of obtaining planning approvals. In addition, he paid tribute to those who had pioneered, through sacrifice and service, the coming of the temple.

He requested that members pray daily over the next year that all would go well in the building of the temple and that there be no mishaps or undue delays (Church News, 3 April 1999).

"And he also caused that his workmen should work all manner of fine work within the walls of the temple, of fine wood, and of copper, and of brass."